“He brings a keen intellect and a quiet authority to policing and in everything he does he is urbane.

“I will particularly miss his dry sense of humour which often helps to alleviate a tense moment in meetings.

“On a national basis, his successful work to counter illegal drugs in the country has been one of the most important roles in policing.

“The whole policing family in Hertfordshire will want to thank him for the brilliant job he has done to keep Hertfordshire a safe place, and I want to thank him personally for working with me in such a positive way. I have learned much from him and will miss him.”

Mr Bliss first joined Sussex Police as a Police Constable in 1982 and progressed through each rank up to Superintendent working as both a uniform and detective officer.

He was appointed assistant chief constable of Essex Police in 2004. He became deputy chief Constable in 2006.

Nationally, he chairs the National Policing Drugs Committee and is a member of the National Policing Crime Business Area. He also chairs the UK Drugs and International Drugs Threat Group.

He was awarded the Queen’s Police Medal in Her Majesty’s 2010 New Year’s Honours.

Trending

Former Berkhamsted School friends hold football tournament to raise money

LIVE: A-Level results day in Dacorum

Berko’s Charlie is psychic’s sidekick

Court round up: including man who smashed up computer belonging to council